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'''Empathic Shock''' is the temporary loss of guild abilities that [[Empath]]s suffer when they perform violent acts.

==Shock Theory==
==Shock Theory==
Every sentient creature in [[Elanthia]] is born with innate empathy for the life forces of other living things. But for most, this sense is dulled and suppressed by a lifetime of the tiny (or not so tiny) harmful actions that are usually necessary for survival. [[Empath|Empaths]], in contrast, strengthen and focus this natural sense into a highly refined skill, but to do so they must entirely avoid violence.
Every sentient creature in [[Elanthia]] is born with innate empathy for the life forces of other living things. But for most, this sense is dulled and suppressed by a lifetime of the tiny (or not so tiny) harmful actions that are usually necessary for survival. Empaths, in contrast, strengthen and focus this natural sense into a highly refined sense, but to do so they must entirely avoid violence.


When a non-Empath does harm, their suppression of natural empathy means they experience no ill effects. When an Empath attempts harm, it clashes violently with their finely-honed sensitivity to the life forces around them and causes shock. It is a psycho-physical reaction, like a reflex. There is no direct moral component to it, although many Empaths view shock as a highly personal issue and will only discuss it with their closest friends and family.<br>
When a non-Empath does harm, the suppression of natural empathy means they experience no ill effects. When an Empath attempts harm, it clashes violently with their finely-honed sensitivity to the life forces around them and causes shock.
<br>
'''SimuCon 2003 Empath Guild Seminar''': Why can an empath not hunt, or not swing a sword without getting shock even if they don't actually hit anything?


Contrary to popular belief, shock is not a punishment for breaching a moral code of pacifism. Rather, it is an automatic physiological reaction. Borrowing a player's analogy, Salvur made the following comparison:
When people are born today, over many generations, people have been developing the skill that will be empathy. As that power/ability developed, the suppression of it also developed. Everyone is capable of becoming an empath. Those who make the choice to be combat oriented learn to suppress empathy. Empathy and the suppression of empathy are reflexive mental actions. When someone joins the empath guild, suppression is not developed much if at all, but the empathy instinct is primed. The skill for suppression is suppressed and empathy is enhanced when a person joins the guild. Empathic shock is something done to the self when the suppression is suddenly activated to the empathy part of the brain. It is the natural suppression reflex which has been suppressed kicking in and kicking hard.


<blockquote>If you dwelt in a cave for a year and a day, and then wandered out into the noonday sun, the bright light would hurt your eyes, and you would be temporarily blinded. This is much like Empathic shock, which is pain followed by a temporary insensitivity that is caused by over-stimulation of one's empathic senses.</blockquote>
==Causes and Consequences of Shock==
Empathic shock is caused by a variety of actions which intend to harm life. These include but are not limited to: attacking a creature or other adventurer, casting directly harmful magic, and fishing (since it involves piercing the fish with a hook). Specific actions either always cause shock or they always don't--the only way to avoid it is to never attempt a shock-causing action.


There is no inherent moral component to shock, although many Empaths view shock as a highly personal issue and will only discuss it with their closest friends and family.
Shock will not happen when an Empath causes ''indirect'' harm, for example by hiring an assassin or firing a mangonel at a boat, nor will it generally occur if an Empath was not intending to harm anything. Generally speaking, shock-causing actions require the Empath to be the '''primary, direct and deliberate causative agent''' of the attempted harm. In the case of mangonels, the Empath is absolved since the direct target is an inanimate object (the boat) and not a living being. In the case of setting off a shrapnel or poison gas box, the Empath is not shocked because they (presumably) were not intending to cause harm to others. Bypassing the shock mechanic by deliberately setting off area-wide traps is warnable as [[mechanics abuse]] and shock may be applied retroactively by a GM.


'''SimuCon 2003 Empath Guild Seminar''': Why can an Empath not hunt, or not swing a sword without getting shock even if they don't actually hit anything? (Note: this is partially obsolete, as you must actually cause injury to experience empathic shock; intent is irrelevant.)
The first consequence of getting shock is a very long stun, ranging between a minute and twelve minutes, depending on the cause. Shock is granular, and as you accrue more shock you will gradually weaken many of your abilities. For example, a partially shocked empath will cast healing spells on themselves with less efficiency, and will not be able to perceive life as far as an unshocked empath of equal skill. When you reach "permashock" or go completely numb from empathic shock you will no longer be able to take wounds, [[manipulate ability|manipulate]] creatures, cast [[Nissa's Binding]] or many other [[:Category:Empath Spells|Empath spells]], [[shift ability|shift]], [[Perceive Health|perceive health]] or [[link ability|link]]. Guildleaders will still teach you spells and tell you what you need to advance, and will allow you to circle.


When people are born today, over many generations, people have been developing the skill that will be empathy. As that power/ability developed, the suppression of it also developed. Everyone is capable of becoming an Empath. Those who make the choice to be combat oriented learn to suppress empathy. Empathy and the suppression of empathy are reflexive mental actions. When someone joins the Empath guild, suppression is not developed much if at all, but the empathy instinct is primed. The skill for suppression is suppressed and empathy is enhanced when a person joins the guild. Empathic shock is something done to the self when the suppression is suddenly activated to the empathy part of the brain. It is the natural suppression reflex which has been suppressed kicking in and kicking hard.
Shock wears off with time as long as you are not "permashocked" or numb, but its duration can be considerable. Generally speaking, the more violent the offense, the longer the length of shock. Merely punching or kicking someone will incur only perhaps an hour or two of shock, but it might take many days in game to work off the shock from causing death. Once you reach "permashock" or the numb stage, a quest must be performed to be able to start recovering from shock normally. The details of the quest are a secret or game spoiler, so try discretely asking other Empaths.


==Causes of Shock==
Shock leaves a permanent scar on the empath who first received it, which is evident to another empath upon touch. '''You cannot get a scar by sharing shock from another Empath'''.
Empathic shock is primarily caused by directly harming living beings. Examples of actions that cause shock:
*injuring another creature or adventurer with weapons or damaging magic (as opposed to an unsuccessful attempt)
*fishing
*healing a [[Necromancer]] with sufficient [[Divine Outrage]]


The only surefire way to avoid empathic shock is to never attempt a shock-causing action.
; The creatures that spawn from the [[Ranger]] spell [[Awaken Forest]] are NOT constructs. Attacking them as an [[Empath]] WILL result in Empathic [[Shock]].


Shock will not happen when an Empath causes ''indirect'' harm, for example by hiring an assassin or firing a mangonel at a boat. Generally speaking, shock-causing actions require the Empath to be the '''primary, direct, and deliberate causative agent''' of harm. In the case of mangonels, the Empath is absolved since the direct target is an inanimate object (the boat) and not a living being. Finding a way to directly harm other characters without receiving shock is warnable as [[mechanics abuse]], and shock may be applied retroactively by a GM.
==Sharing Shock==
At 10th circle, other Empaths can {{tt|TAKE}} a portion of the shock to reduce the amount of time you are affected by it, but by doing so, they will become shocked themselves. Each time an Empath shares shock from a guildmate, he/she takes approximately half of the remaining shock, leaving half behind. '''Sharing shock from a guildmate does not cause stunning.'''


'''Note:''' The creatures that spawn from the [[Ranger]] spell [[Awaken Forest]] are NOT constructs. Attacking them as an [[Empath]] WILL result in Empathic Shock.
The most efficient way to reduce shock is by organizing a '''Shock Circle'''. Since shock is reduced by half each time it is shared, you can benefit from this geometric reduction by setting up several tiers of Empaths to repeatedly take the shock in a hierarchical tree-like progression. A properly organized circle can quickly reduce shock since it will be worked off by many Empaths simultaneously. Shock circles are not easy to set up, since ideally you need five or more Empaths who are all willing sacrifice their skills for several [[Elanthian Time|anlaen]] in order to help.

Shock wears off with time as long as you are not "perma-shocked" or completely insensitive, but its duration can be considerable. Generally speaking, the more harm that was caused, the longer the length of shock. Merely punching or kicking someone will incur only perhaps an hour or two of shock, but it might take many days of being logged in for your empathy to recover from murder. Once you reach "perma-shock" or complete insensitivity, the [[Shock Quest|quest]] must be performed to jump-start the recovery process. The details of the quest are an in-game secret, so try discreetly asking other Empaths.

==Shock Levels==
Empaths can use a [[cassava root]] to determine their shock levels by {{tt|TOUCH}}ing it.
:{|class="wikitable sortable"
! Shock !! Message
|-
| n/a || You thumb your [item]. (Non-Empaths)
|-
| 0 || Your [item]'s life force is brimming with unblemished vigor!
|-
| 1 || Your [item]'s life force remains unblemished save for a single, tiny deadened speck.
|-
| 2 || Your [item]'s life force remains largely robust, though several small deadened areas have formed.
|-
| 3 || Your [item]'s life force is still mostly strong, though it shows more than the occasional deadened area.
|-
| 4 || Your [item]'s life force displays interwoven strands connecting each of the deadened areas within.
|-
| 5 || Your [item]'s life force is pulsing between vigor and numbness.
|-
| 6 || Your [item]'s life force is waning, the strands connecting its deadened areas growing more numerous.
|-
| 7 || Your [item]'s life force is significantly weakened, with large portions of it numbed and deadened completely.
|-
| 8 || Your [item]'s life force is imperceptible.
|}

==Consequences of Shock==
The first consequence of getting shock is a short stun. Empaths who have significantly deadened their Empathic sensitivity will have significantly shorter stuns than more sensitive Empaths. That is, the more shocked you are, the shorter your shock stun will be. Shock is granular, and as you accrue more shock, you will gradually weaken many of your abilities, and your effective skill with empathy may be penalized. For example, a partially shocked Empath will cast self-healing spells with less efficiency, and will not be able to perceive life as far as an unshocked Empath of equal skill. When you reach complete insensitivity ("perma-shock"), many of your abilities will not work at all or will only function at reduced power.<ref>[[Post:Shock Rewrite - 07/21/2012 - 21:22]]</ref>
:'''The amount of shock an empath has will automatically drain as long as the Empath is both online and not currently permashocked/completely insensitive.''' If the Empath is completely insensitive the [[Shock Quest Walkthrough|shock quest]] must be performed to start the recovery process. The quest can also be performed before being completely insensitive to reduce recovery time.

===Lost Abilities ===
The following abilities and spells will '''not work''' for the Empath who is completely insensitive ("perma-shocked"):
{{columns-list|2|
*[[Empath Healing|healing others]]
*[[Link ability|link]]
*[[Perceive Health|perceive health]]
*[[Manipulate ability|manipulate]]
*[[Shift ability|shift]]
*[[Scholarship skill|teaching or listening to classes]] on {{skill|Empathy|Empathy}}
*[[Fountain of Creation]]
*[[Guardian Spirit]]
*[[Heart Link]]
*[[Regenerate]]
*[[Circle of Sympathy]] (lost with even the barest amount of shock, excluding shock scar)
*[[Embrace of the Vela'Tohr]] (lost with even the barest amount of shock, excluding shock scar)
}}
Additionally, you will appear to be a non-Empath to Empaths who [[Perceive Health|perceive health]].

===Reduced Abilities===
For playability reasons, the following "bread-and-butter" healing spells will still work but at '''reduced power/efficiency''':
{{columns-list|2|
*[[Heal Wounds]]
*[[Heal Scars]]
*[[Heal]]
*[[Vitality Healing]]
*[[Flush Poisons]]
*[[Cure Disease]]
}}

===Unaffected Abilities===
These spells continue to work at full power while completely insensitive:
{{columns-list|2|
*[[Aesandry Darlaeth]]
*[[Aggressive Stance]]
*[[Awaken]]
*[[Blood Staunching]]
*[[Compel]]
*[[Gift of Life]]
*[[Innocence]]
*[[Iron Constitution]]
*[[Lethargy]]
*[[Mental Focus]]
*[[Nissa's Binding]]
*[[Paralysis]]
*[[Perseverance of Peri'el]]
*[[Refresh]]
*[[Tranquility]]
*[[Vigor]]
}}

===Requires Shock===
Lastly, this spell cannot be learned or cast ''without'' a minimum amount of shock:
*[[Icutu Zaharenela]]

==Sharing Shock==
At 10th circle, other Empaths can {{tt|TAKE}} a portion of the shock to reduce the amount of time you are affected by it, but by doing so, they will become shocked themselves. Each time an Empath shares shock from a guildmate, he/she takes approximately half of the remaining shock, leaving half behind. '''Sharing shock from a guildmate does not cause stunning.'''


The most efficient way to reduce shock is by organizing a '''Shock Circle'''. Since shock is reduced by half each time it is shared, you can benefit from this geometric reduction by setting up several tiers of Empaths to repeatedly take the shock in a hierarchical tree-like progression. A properly organized circle can quickly reduce shock since it will be worked off by many Empaths simultaneously. Shock circles are not easy to set up, since ideally you need five or more Empaths who are all willing to sacrifice their skills for several [[Elanthian Time|anlaen]] in order to help.
==Shock Rewrite==
Empathic shock is soon going to be rewritten to allow Empaths to work down the stun to either elimination or to a highly-neglible concern. Empaths will also no longer immediately lose all of their Empathy-based abilities, instead gradually losing their effectiveness (that is, a shocked Empath will still be able to [[Empath Healing|take wounds]], [[Manipulate ability|manipulate]], cast [[Nissa's Binding]], [[Shift]], and [[Link ability|link]]).


Empathic shock scars the Empath who first experienced it. Although the scar is permanent and perceptible (to other Empaths who touch you), there is no lingering mechanical effect once the shock wears off. '''You cannot get a scar by sharing shock from another Empath.'''
GM [[Obseden]] Posted about the upcoming changes on play.net:


==Shock Quest==
<blockquote>A short review of the Complete Insensitivity status and the Shock quest:<br>
Empaths also have the ability now to complete a lengthy quest to help reduce the time it takes to manage shock. A trip to the [[Adder's Coil]] in [[Forfedhdar]] will start the shocked Empath on the road to restoring their empathic senses.
#Unlike now, one kill will not take you all the way to Complete Insensitivity. I haven't actually worked out the math, but it should take around 12 kills to teach insensitive status (realize though, that harming something adds to the amount as well, so it may take less).
#Until you reach CI status, you will still be able to use any Empathy related skills or spells, but at a reduced capacity, in proportion to how shocked you are. At CI status, while you could still attempt to use them, your chance of success is 0.
#Until you reach CI status, your amount of shock will drop with time. This will be at the same rate as now, though the maximum amount of shock is greatly reduced from what it was under the old system.
#You will still be able to take shock from someone who is shocked, but not when there are in CI status.
#The only way to drop out of CI status once in it will be to undertake the shock quest. You can also take the Shock quest at any time while shocked to reduce the amount of time left in shock. Since you lose shock amount as usual while doing the shock quest, this can reduce the amount of time needed.</blockquote>


The following link contains spoilers about the quest:
GM [[Melete]] on the current status of the shock rewrite:
* [[Shock Quest Walkthrough]]


{{RefAl|r=y}}
<blockquote>It is out of QC and as complete as these things ever are, but it can't be released until the rest of the X3 stuff is complete. Most of those big systems are really entangled. Shock is tied up in all three of the X3 systems(or are there more? I forget!)<br>
[[guild association is::Empath| ]]
<br>
[[page type is::definition| ]]
It probably still has some kinks to work out, which I hope to do with the help of the test server whenever that is possible.</blockquote>
{{RefAl}}
{{Cat|Empath}}

Latest revision as of 14:38, 5 August 2023

Empathic Shock is the temporary loss of guild abilities that Empaths suffer when they perform violent acts.

Shock Theory

Every sentient creature in Elanthia is born with innate empathy for the life forces of other living things. But for most, this sense is dulled and suppressed by a lifetime of the tiny (or not so tiny) harmful actions that are usually necessary for survival. Empaths, in contrast, strengthen and focus this natural sense into a highly refined sense, but to do so they must entirely avoid violence.

When a non-Empath does harm, the suppression of natural empathy means they experience no ill effects. When an Empath attempts harm, it clashes violently with their finely-honed sensitivity to the life forces around them and causes shock.

Contrary to popular belief, shock is not a punishment for breaching a moral code of pacifism. Rather, it is an automatic physiological reaction. Borrowing a player's analogy, Salvur made the following comparison:

If you dwelt in a cave for a year and a day, and then wandered out into the noonday sun, the bright light would hurt your eyes, and you would be temporarily blinded. This is much like Empathic shock, which is pain followed by a temporary insensitivity that is caused by over-stimulation of one's empathic senses.

There is no inherent moral component to shock, although many Empaths view shock as a highly personal issue and will only discuss it with their closest friends and family.

SimuCon 2003 Empath Guild Seminar: Why can an Empath not hunt, or not swing a sword without getting shock even if they don't actually hit anything? (Note: this is partially obsolete, as you must actually cause injury to experience empathic shock; intent is irrelevant.)

When people are born today, over many generations, people have been developing the skill that will be empathy. As that power/ability developed, the suppression of it also developed. Everyone is capable of becoming an Empath. Those who make the choice to be combat oriented learn to suppress empathy. Empathy and the suppression of empathy are reflexive mental actions. When someone joins the Empath guild, suppression is not developed much if at all, but the empathy instinct is primed. The skill for suppression is suppressed and empathy is enhanced when a person joins the guild. Empathic shock is something done to the self when the suppression is suddenly activated to the empathy part of the brain. It is the natural suppression reflex which has been suppressed kicking in and kicking hard.

Causes of Shock

Empathic shock is primarily caused by directly harming living beings. Examples of actions that cause shock:

  • injuring another creature or adventurer with weapons or damaging magic (as opposed to an unsuccessful attempt)
  • fishing
  • healing a Necromancer with sufficient Divine Outrage

The only surefire way to avoid empathic shock is to never attempt a shock-causing action.

Shock will not happen when an Empath causes indirect harm, for example by hiring an assassin or firing a mangonel at a boat. Generally speaking, shock-causing actions require the Empath to be the primary, direct, and deliberate causative agent of harm. In the case of mangonels, the Empath is absolved since the direct target is an inanimate object (the boat) and not a living being. Finding a way to directly harm other characters without receiving shock is warnable as mechanics abuse, and shock may be applied retroactively by a GM.

Note: The creatures that spawn from the Ranger spell Awaken Forest are NOT constructs. Attacking them as an Empath WILL result in Empathic Shock.

Shock wears off with time as long as you are not "perma-shocked" or completely insensitive, but its duration can be considerable. Generally speaking, the more harm that was caused, the longer the length of shock. Merely punching or kicking someone will incur only perhaps an hour or two of shock, but it might take many days of being logged in for your empathy to recover from murder. Once you reach "perma-shock" or complete insensitivity, the quest must be performed to jump-start the recovery process. The details of the quest are an in-game secret, so try discreetly asking other Empaths.

Shock Levels

Empaths can use a cassava root to determine their shock levels by TOUCHing it.

Shock Message
n/a You thumb your [item]. (Non-Empaths)
0 Your [item]'s life force is brimming with unblemished vigor!
1 Your [item]'s life force remains unblemished save for a single, tiny deadened speck.
2 Your [item]'s life force remains largely robust, though several small deadened areas have formed.
3 Your [item]'s life force is still mostly strong, though it shows more than the occasional deadened area.
4 Your [item]'s life force displays interwoven strands connecting each of the deadened areas within.
5 Your [item]'s life force is pulsing between vigor and numbness.
6 Your [item]'s life force is waning, the strands connecting its deadened areas growing more numerous.
7 Your [item]'s life force is significantly weakened, with large portions of it numbed and deadened completely.
8 Your [item]'s life force is imperceptible.

Consequences of Shock

The first consequence of getting shock is a short stun. Empaths who have significantly deadened their Empathic sensitivity will have significantly shorter stuns than more sensitive Empaths. That is, the more shocked you are, the shorter your shock stun will be. Shock is granular, and as you accrue more shock, you will gradually weaken many of your abilities, and your effective skill with empathy may be penalized. For example, a partially shocked Empath will cast self-healing spells with less efficiency, and will not be able to perceive life as far as an unshocked Empath of equal skill. When you reach complete insensitivity ("perma-shock"), many of your abilities will not work at all or will only function at reduced power.[1]

The amount of shock an empath has will automatically drain as long as the Empath is both online and not currently permashocked/completely insensitive. If the Empath is completely insensitive the shock quest must be performed to start the recovery process. The quest can also be performed before being completely insensitive to reduce recovery time.

Lost Abilities

The following abilities and spells will not work for the Empath who is completely insensitive ("perma-shocked"):

Additionally, you will appear to be a non-Empath to Empaths who perceive health.

Reduced Abilities

For playability reasons, the following "bread-and-butter" healing spells will still work but at reduced power/efficiency:

Unaffected Abilities

These spells continue to work at full power while completely insensitive:

Requires Shock

Lastly, this spell cannot be learned or cast without a minimum amount of shock:

Sharing Shock

At 10th circle, other Empaths can TAKE a portion of the shock to reduce the amount of time you are affected by it, but by doing so, they will become shocked themselves. Each time an Empath shares shock from a guildmate, he/she takes approximately half of the remaining shock, leaving half behind. Sharing shock from a guildmate does not cause stunning.

The most efficient way to reduce shock is by organizing a Shock Circle. Since shock is reduced by half each time it is shared, you can benefit from this geometric reduction by setting up several tiers of Empaths to repeatedly take the shock in a hierarchical tree-like progression. A properly organized circle can quickly reduce shock since it will be worked off by many Empaths simultaneously. Shock circles are not easy to set up, since ideally you need five or more Empaths who are all willing to sacrifice their skills for several anlaen in order to help.

Empathic shock scars the Empath who first experienced it. Although the scar is permanent and perceptible (to other Empaths who touch you), there is no lingering mechanical effect once the shock wears off. You cannot get a scar by sharing shock from another Empath.

Shock Quest

Empaths also have the ability now to complete a lengthy quest to help reduce the time it takes to manage shock. A trip to the Adder's Coil in Forfedhdar will start the shocked Empath on the road to restoring their empathic senses.

The following link contains spoilers about the quest:

References

  1. ↑ Post:Shock Rewrite - 07/21/2012 - 21:22

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